First day cover Laon 1963 cathedral stamp Philatelic Office

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This first-day cover, visible in the photo, features a French stamp depicting Laon Cathedral, postmarked with an illustrated "LAON VILLE D'ART" stamp dated 1963. The envelope is inserted into a transparent protective sleeve with a black border visible on the edges. It has a red "OFFICE PHILATÉLIQUE FRANÇAIS Boîte Postale N°60 SAINT-ÉTIENNE (Loire)" print on the front, clearly legible.

The blue-tinted stamp depicts Laon Cathedral, an emblematic architectural motif. The postmark is clear and highlights the monument depicted. The whole, intended for philately, is typical of first-day covers issued in the 1960s, often used to promote new stamps and their heritage theme.

The overall presentation is neat, and the plastic sleeve effectively protects the envelope. There is a small handwritten label "6F" in the lower right corner, with no other visible annotations on the front. The condition of the sleeve shows some superficial reflections and creases, with no direct visible impact on the envelope itself.

The visible side shows no major stains, tears, or significant alteration of the paper. The postal stamp and the stamp print remain clearly legible, an asset for thematic research on French philately or architectural heritage.

The typography and presentation correspond to the official productions of the French Philatelic Office of that period, designed to highlight commemorative issues and French historical monuments.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The sleeve has some marks and creases due to storage, the envelope remains in good overall condition on the visible side.

Did you know? Laon Cathedral, depicted on this 1963 first-day cover, is one of the masterpieces of Gothic architecture in France. So-called "first-day" covers are issued in limited quantities when a new stamp is released, with a specific postmark related to the theme or the city of issue.

AFW Reassurance

Your order will be handled with care, shipped quickly, and professionally packaged for secure delivery.

Keywords: first day cover, FDC France, Laon cathedral, 1963 stamp, French philately, Philatelic Office, commemorative postmark, cancelled letter, French stamp cover, philately, illustrated envelope, Laon Art City